Tuesday, April 23, 2013
The children's boutique recently moved into a new location, but the owner says medical issues are forcing her to close the doors.
Tammy Hicks, owner of Gumballs & Overalls children's boutique moved her shop about one block last year to a larger space with more visibility at 3239 Lithia-Pinecrest Rd., Valrico. Recently, she announced another move for the shop, a move to close the doors. Hicks first mentioned the closing on the store's Facebook page on April 12. "Due to medical issues, I have decided to close my Gumballs and Overalls Valrico location at the end of May," she wrote. The store supports more than 140 local vendors who create everything from tutus and fairy wings to crocheted hats and monogrammed T-shirts. Hicks, who relocated to the area from Michigan, brought many of the items with her from the original Gumballs and Overalls store she opened there in 2009…
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Terry O' Grady released his first book, "The Kaleidoscope Kids," last month.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- D'Ann White
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Sunday, November 11, 2012
Longtime Valrico resident Terry O'Grady has teamed up with illustrator Rick Barrett to produce a new children's ebook, "The Kaleidoscope Kids." The eBook, released in October, is available on Kindle, NOOK and in print from Amazon.com and at Gumballs & Overalls, 3239 Lithia-Pinecrest Rd., Valrico. Another edition on iBooks is due to be released as well. "The Kaleidoscope Kids" introduces a group of children who are struggling to learn to 10 fairies who are each characterized by a shape, number and color. These characters teach the children about their particular concepts with a lyrical rhyme. The book is targeted for children 18 months to 5 years old. Older children would most likely know the concepts presented in the book but will enjoy …
Friday, October 19, 2012
The program, led by Jenn Sifferman of Gibsonton, is held at Gumballs & Overalls in Valrico.
Using an expressive voice and exaggerated hand motions, Jenn Sifferman reads a series of Halloween-themed books to a group of babies and toddlers, successfully capturing their attention for an hour. Although the youngsters can't yet read themselves, they are already developing an appreciation of books that, hopefully, will develop into a lifelong love of reading with the help of Sifferman's Musical Beginnings program. Part of the nationwide Kindermusik curriculum, Musical Beginnings combines stories, music and motion to generate an interest in early reading, something that's especially important to Sifferman, a former kindergarten teacher and assistant principal at St. Stephen Catholic School in Riverview. "I'm a strong believer in …
Monday, October 15, 2012
The children's boutique has relocated to 3239 Lithia-Pinecrest Road, Valrico, in the building formerly occupied by Tassels Interiors.
For Tammy Hicks, owner of Gumballs & Overalls children's boutique, making a move just a block north on Lithia-Pinecrest Road proved to be a triple win. "I've got more space, better accessibility and better visibility," said Hicks, who celebrated the one-year anniversary of Gumballs & Overalls in August. "It's the perfect spot for me." Hicks' loyal clientele have had no problem finding her at the new location at 3239 Lithia-Pinecrest Rd., Valrico. Lured by the promise of unique handmade clothing, hats and accessories, the store welcomes a steady flow of moms and tots. Hicks supports more than 140 local vendors who create everything from tutus and fairy wings to crocheted hats and monogrammed T-shirts. She also offers a selection of …
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Cammie Yick is teaching baby sign language classes at several locations.
At the age of 12 months, Emma Carr already has an extensive vocabulary, including the words "please," "thanks," "milk" and "eat." However, she isn't communicating with baby talk. Instead, she uses sign language with the help of sign language instructor Cammie Yick of Dover. The founder of Sunshine Signing, Yick is a certified master Baby Signing Time instructor, teaching American sign language to children age 6 to 36 months. It's a skill, she said, that provides babies with a method of communicating long before they are able to form words. Yick began learning sign language while in high school because her best friend was deaf. She went on to receive her bachelor's degree in communications at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., which …
gina raju
10:02 am on Thursday, April 25, 2013
I love Baby Avenue!!! more ›